US 12,703,448 B2 · Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles

Abstract

Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles are described herein. An example height adjustable seat post includes an upper tube and a lower tube configured in a telescopic arrangement. The height adjustable seat post includes a piston assembly in the upper tube that divides the upper tube into a first chamber and a second chamber. The piston assembly includes a valve to control fluid flow between the first and second chambers. The height adjustable seat post also includes an actuator to operate the valve. The height adjustable seat post further includes a connector assembly connected to the lower tube. The connector assembly is to be connected to a mating connector assembly on the bicycle. The connector assembly includes a magnetic connector including a housing having an end surface with an opening, first and second electrical contacts in the opening, and a magnet disposed in the housing and spaced from the end surface of the housing.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A height adjustable seat post for a bicycle, the height adjustable seat post comprising:

an upper tube and a lower tube configured in a telescopic arrangement, the lower tube to be coupled to a frame of the bicycle, the upper tube to be coupled to a seat;
a piston assembly in the upper tube, the piston assembly dividing the upper tube into a first chamber and a second chamber, the first and second chambers filled with fluid, the piston assembly including a valve to control fluid flow between the first and second chambers;
an actuator to operate the valve;
and
a connector assembly connected to the lower tube, the connector assembly to be connected to a mating connector assembly on the bicycle, the connector assembly including a magnetic connector including:
a housing having an end surface with an opening;
first and second electrical contacts in the opening;
and
a magnet disposed in the housing and spaced from the end surface of the housing.

6 more elements

A connector system for electrically connecting a height adjustable seat post to an electrical system of a bicycle, the connector system comprising:

a seat post connector assembly to be connected to the height adjustable seat post, the seat post connector assembly including a first magnetic connector, the first magnetic connector including:
a first housing having a first end wall with a first end surface, the first housing having a first opening formed through the first end wall;
first and second electrical contacts at least partially disposed in the first opening;
and
a first magnet in the first housing, the first magnet spaced from the first end surface;
and
a bicycle connector assembly to be connected to the electrical system, the bicycle connector assembly including a second magnetic connector, the second magnetic connector including:
a second housing having a second end wall with a second end surface, the second housing having a second opening formed through the second end wall;
third and fourth electrical contacts at least partially disposed in the second opening;
and
a second magnet in the second housing, the second magnet spaced from the second end surface, wherein a magnetic attraction between the first and second magnets holds the first and second magnetic connectors together such that the first end surface is in contact with the second end surface and the first and second electrical contacts are in contact with the respective third and fourth electrical contacts.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles

Life of this patent

Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20